Eighteen First Nations People have received their qualifications in what CQUniversity says is its first graduation ceremony to be held in a remote Indigenous community.

The group, from Woorabinda in Central Queensland, received their Certificate I in Conservation and Land Management.

The university said the students were the largest Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cohort to have graduated from CQU.

Students constructed the culturally significant Taroom-Woorabinda Memorial Walkway for the practical component of the course.

The theoretical components were delivered weekly at the town’s Wadja Wadja High School, eliminating the need for students to make the 300km round trip to the university’s Rockhampton campus.

Rockhampton-born graduate Campbell Bounghi, 20, grew up in Woorabinda, and although he did not finish high school, he donned a university cap and gown to accept his new qualification.

“It’s a really big deal to be honest … I suppose I can do anything really,” he said.

“It’s handy to have — you learn more about plants, animals — it’s a good certificate to have behind you on your resume.

“It’s a big opportunity for myself and everyone else who took part in it.”

‘Stay in school’

Since leaving school, Bounghi has worked on projects across central Queensland including the rebuilding of the Fairbairn dam wall.

Bounghi never thought he would go to university.

“No, hell no, because I’d had enough of school and let alone going to university because it’s just more schooling,” he said.

“I just wanted to go and work, work, work.”

His thoughts have changed after attending university — he wants other young people to give it a go.

“Now that I’ve actually had the experience of doing it, because it’s not just theory, theory, theory … you do a bit of a mix-up,” he said.

“I dropped out [of high school] and I regret it big time.

“Looking back from now to then, I really wish I stayed in school, as much as I hated it.

“That’s my message to the little ones — stay in school.”

Flooding ‘a blessing in disguise’

The university partnered with the Woorabinda Pastoral Company, Yoonthalla Services and the Queensland Government to provide scholarships to the students.

They were originally set to attend a February ceremony in Emerald — about 200km away — but flooding prompted a change of plan.

“In essence, the flooding was actually a blessing in disguise,” Professor Adrian Miller said.

“That really forced us to think, ‘how do we celebrate success for Woorabinda students?’ and ultimately we said ‘let’s have a graduation ceremony in the community’.”

CQUniversity Pro Vice-Chancellor and Indigenous Engagement leader Adrian Miller is of the Jirrbal people of northeastern Queensland.

“It’s pretty special … it’s probably the first time, we think, that CQU has done a community-based graduation,” he said.

Miller said it was hoped the ceremony would open the door to more partnerships with Indigenous communities.

“What we’re trying to do, from the experiences of working with the Woorabinda community, is to develop a model in which we can actually take to other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities,” Miller said.

“Hopefully we’ll engage with other communities that are interested in this kind of training as well as education or research.”

Indigenous elder Randolph Powder, 69, who was born and bred in Woorabinda, now lives in Dingo — about 80km away and continues to teach young people about culture.

“I’m just really proud to be here,” he said.

“There wasn’t anything like this before but I’m proud of this happening now, so I hope there’s more to come.”

Walking Together is taking a look at our nation’s reconciliation journey, where we’ve been and asks the question — where do we go next?

Join us as we listen, learn and share stories from across the country, that unpack the truth telling of our history and embrace the rich culture and language of Australia’s First People.

– ABC / Erin Semmler